Research priorities for natural ecosystems in a changing global climate. (20th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williams, Stephen E.; Hobday, Alistair J.; Falconi, Lorena; Hero, Jean‐Marc; Holbrook, Neil J.; Capon, Samantha; Bond, Nick R.; Ling, Scott D.; Hughes, Lesley
• Is Part Of: Global change biology. Volume 26:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 410
• Page End: 416
• Publication Date: 2019-11-20
• Subjects: adaptation -- freshwater -- global change biology -- marine -- natural ecosystems -- research prioritization -- terrestrial; Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Troposphere -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Biodiversity conservation -- Periodicals; Eutrophication -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14856
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-1013

Abstract

Abstract: Climate change poses significant emerging risks to biodiversity, ecosystem function and associated socioecological systems. Adaptation responses must be initiated in parallel with mitigation efforts, but resources are limited. As climate risks are not distributed equally across taxa, ecosystems and processes, strategic prioritization of research that addresses stakeholder‐relevant knowledge gaps will accelerate effective uptake into adaptation policy and management action. After a decade of climate change adaptation research within the Australian National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, we synthesize the National Adaptation Research Plans for marine, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. We identify the key, globally relevant priorities for ongoing research relevant to informing adaptation policy and environmental management aimed at maximizing the resilience of natural ecosystems to climate change. Informed by both global literature and an extensive stakeholder consultation across all ecosystems, sectors and regions in Australia, involving thousands of participants, we suggest 18 priority research topics based on their significance, urgency, technical and economic feasibility, existing knowledge gaps and potential for cobenefits across multiple sectors. These research priorities provide a unified guide for policymakers, funding organizations and researchers to strategically direct resources, maximize stakeholder uptake of resulting knowledge and minimize the impacts of climate change on natural ecosystems. Given the pace of climate change, it is imperative that we inform and accelerate adaptation progress in all regions around the world. Abstract : The capacity to make informed decisions about environmental policy and management in a changing climate relies on monitoring data, scientific analysis, strategic prioritization of new research, and the effective synthesis and communication of technical resources and knowledge. Here we identify the most important research required to address stakeholder‐relevant knowledge gaps that will increase their capacity to make the best decisions possible to minimize the impacts of climate change on natural ecosystems.